Resource Centre

The resources in our library were created by trusted Passive House professionals and researchers around the world.

Whether you’re a building industry professional, policy maker or homeowner, you’ll find research and informative brochures you can share with clients and colleagues.

Passive House Canada members also have access to the Forum on the International Passive House Association website to share design and construction experience, for technical discussions on Passive House design and construction.

How can the structural and financial effort for a ventilation system remain within limits? What needs to be given attention with regard to the efficiency of controlled ventilation, and what must be kept in mind with reference to ventilation in summer? The present article deals with the relevant aspects of ventilation planning for non-residential Passive House buildings.
You must have access to iPHA's Passipedia to access this resource. To become an affiliate member of iPHA, visit: https://www.passivehousecanada.com/membership/

A research study by FXFOWLE to evaluate the applicability of the Passive House Standard to tall residential buildings in one of the densest cities in North America, New York. The study is a comparative analysis of a base-case building design that targets a LEED v3 Silver rating to a Passivhaus design for the same building. The base-case building is large, mixed-use multifamily housing project currently under construction.

High Performance: Making the Buildings-Energy Equation Sustainable (2017)

Practices, paths and technologies available now to achieve transformative building and energy innovation. Produced by Dr. James Freihaut, Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University and Lisa Tryson, Director of Corporate Communications, Danfoss.

Produced by the North American Passive House Network this is the Passive House ‘2016 State of the Industry’ book for the whole continent. Seven chapters cover policy, economics, QA/QC, commercial highlights, residential leaders, systems and resilience.

Achieving EnerPHit Modelling for a Mid-Rise Multi-Unit Residential Building (2016)

This project was completed as an extension to an energy efficiency research and demonstration project for a multi-unit residential building (MURB) that began in 2012. The research aims to understand how the deep energy retrofit at the Belmont building compares to the energy performance under the Passive House “EnerPHit” standard.

The most comprehensive market and financial research available regarding Passive House construction in Canada to date. Phase two of the research will cover building performance monitoring and verification, and research based on larger projects.

The Economics of Passive House | Costing Study on Passive House for Single Family Homes in Vancouver (2015)

This study was completed to assess the costs and economics of Passive House single family homes in the City of Vancouver to help owners, designers, and builders compare the costs of “Passive House” construction for a variety of different assemblies and systems to minimum VBBL requirements for energy performance.

This edition includes clear explanations of Passive House basics along with brand new material on topics such as energy retrofitting, non-residential Passive House Buildings, Passive House in warm climates and the use of renewables. There is also a new chapter on the 2014 Passive House Award winners.

Building a Competitive Economy through Energy Efficiency

Efficiency Canada Report on Building a Competitive Economy through Energy Efficiency. The report is built upon the Generation Energy Council Report and Pan-Canadian Framework and outlines priorities for the 2019 Federal Budget.

Build Smart: Canada's Buildings Strategy 2017

Guide to Low Thermal Energy Demand for Large Buildings (2018)

This guide aims to broaden the common understanding of how large buildings can meet higher levels of performance as required by Passive House, BC Energy Step Code, City of Vancouver Zero Emission Building Plan and City of Toronto Zero Emissions Building Framework. This guide has a focus on current Canadian code requirements, construction
practice and tested systems.

High Performance: Making the Buildings-Energy Equation Sustainable (2017)

Practices, paths and technologies available now to achieve transformative building and energy innovation. Produced by Dr. James Freihaut, Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University and Lisa Tryson, Director of Corporate Communications, Danfoss.

The UN Economic Commission for Europe, Committee on Sustainable Energy approved its framework guidelines for energy efficiency standards in buildings in November 2017. It targets global transformation of buildings in the built environment by framing the design, delivery and operation of buildings as integrated, thermodynamic and environmental systems.

An update to the 2016 common intergovernmental goals that
energy-efficiency standards
support and the principles that define an effective and coordinated regulatory system and guide the development of joint priorities.

The B.C. Climate Leadership Plan (2016)

B.C. Energy Step Code (2016)

The B.C. Energy Step Code supports the B.C. Building Act, by providing a consistent provincial standard for energy efficiency to replace the wide range of existing policies and programs developed by local governments.

City of Vancouver Green Buildings Policy for Rezonings (amended 2014)

This green rezoning policy will increase the number of third-party certified green buildings in Vancouver; transform the market, by increasing consumer choice and awareness of green buildings; develop a process that is workable for industry participants who wish to rezone their properties; nurture an already rapidly growing green building industry in Vancouver.

City of Vancouver's Zero Emissions Building Plan (2016)

This Plan lays out four action strategies to require the majority of new buildings in Vancouver to have no operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and that all new buildings have no greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

City of Toronto Zero Emissions Buildings Framework (2017)

This report presents the results of a two-part study designed to identify an effective means of updating the Toronto Green Standard greenhouse gas and energy efficiency measures that is both feasible for the construction industry and that addresses the city’s climate, energy and resilience goals.

City of Toronto Green Standard (v. 2.0, 2015).0)

iPHA Passive House Brochure (2014)

This edition includes clear explanations of Passive House basics along with brand new material on topics such as energy retrofitting, non-residential Passive House Buildings, Passive House in warm climates and the use of renewables. There is also a new chapter on the 2014 Passive House Award winners.

PassivTower Sustainable housing for the high density city (2018)

This research and development paper has been
commissioned by Allies and Morrison, in collaboration
with a number of the industry’s leading experts
in Passivhaus design at scale. In looking to address
a growing need for greater building performance
transparency, the project aims to explore the Passivhaus
standard on a scale not yet tested and identify key
challenges in its implementation in the housing sector
in London and other cities facing housing shortages.

A research study by FXFOWLE to evaluate the applicability of the Passive House Standard to tall residential buildings in one of the densest cities in North America, New York. The study is a comparative analysis of a base-case building design that targets a LEED v3 Silver rating to a Passivhaus design for the same building. The base-case building is large, mixed-use multifamily housing project currently under construction.

Energy Step Code 2017 Metrics Research - Full Report

The full report of the comprehensive exploration of the energy, emissions and economic impacts of the B.C. Energy Step Code. These findings suggest that improved energy efficiency and affordability can go hand in hand.

The Business Case for Passive House (2015)

The most comprehensive market and financial research available regarding Passive House construction in Canada to date. Phase two of the research will cover building performance monitoring and verification, and research based on larger projects.

Achieving EnerPHit Modelling for a Mid-Rise Multi-Unit Residential Building (2016)

This project was completed as an extension to an energy efficiency research and demonstration project for a multi-unit residential building (MURB) that began in 2012. The research aims to understand how the deep energy retrofit at the Belmont building compares to the energy performance under the Passive House “EnerPHit” standard.

Case Studies on a Near EnerPHit Retrofit and Post-Occupancy Research (2016)

A pilot project was initiated in Vancouver to perform a deep building enclosure energy retrofit
and HVAC upgrade of a 1980’s vintage, 13-storey multifamily. Modelled energy savings were compared to metered post-retrofit energy consumption. Although the project was not designed with EnerPHit in mind, the retrofit project was compared to the EnerPHit standard mid-way through the retrofit to highlight what additional measures would need to have been incorporated to achieve EnerPHit.

Costing Study on Passive House for Single Family Homes in Vancouver (2015)

This study was completed to assess the costs and economics of Passive House single family homes in the City of Vancouver to help owners, designers, and builders compare the costs of “Passive House” construction for a variety of different assemblies and systems to minimum VBBL requirements for energy performance.

The Business Case for Passive House (2015)

The most comprehensive market and financial research available regarding Passive House construction in Canada to date. Phase two of the research will cover building performance monitoring and verification, and research based on larger projects.

iPHA Passive House Brochure (2014)

This edition includes clear explanations of Passive House basics along with brand new material on topics such as energy retrofitting, non-residential Passive House Buildings, Passive House in warm climates and the use of renewables. There is also a new chapter on the 2014 Passive House Award winners.

Passivhaus: An Introduction (2013)

iPHA Passive House Brochure (2014)

This edition includes clear explanations of Passive House basics along with brand new material on topics such as energy retrofitting, non-residential Passive House Buildings, Passive House in warm climates and the use of renewables. There is also a new chapter on the 2014 Passive House Award winners.